Thank goodness for the weekends. I don’t know if I would have made it through the week without the thought of two days of rest to buoy my spirits and keep me going. Two weeks down, four weeks to go of this hellish schedule of mine. I now question the sanity of any public accountant who works these hours for four months out of the year every year. I definitely couldn’t do it!
Jim has been an angel picking up the slack, getting Holly to dance on time, and keeping the kids fed and on task. Granted, it isn’t anything less than what he should be doing, but he’s done so with no complaints. The kids are upset that I am gone so much these days, but they have been supportive and helpful – doing what I ask them to do and providing me with lots of hugs and cuddles (yes, even at their ages) to keep up my spirits. I do love my family and how much we all come together to support one another when necessary.
The trick to working such crazy hours, I’ve found, is audiobooks. I had stopped listening to them for a while because I was being asked a lot of questions and as such was interrupted almost constantly. Being interrupted is fine but it does make for a rather jagged audio listening experience. However, just when I didn’t know if I could take much more without blowing up or going mad, I turned on my audiobook with the intention of drowning out the world for a bit. What happened was a miracle. I calmed down, refocused on the task at hand, and went about my work. The day/evening passed quickly and productively. To test my theory, I listened to my book on my morning commute the next day. I entered the office much happier and calmer and more mentally prepared than I have been in a long time. I used to listen to audiobooks all the time at work but fell out of the habit when we started losing everyone. I think this past week showed me that it is a habit I definitely need to start again for my sake and for the sake of those around me.
The kids are quiet this weekend, as finals week is upon them. Connor has his work cut out for him, as this is his last opportunity to get his semester grades up to where they should be for someone with his intellect and abilities. Holly is not old enough to feel the stress yet, but she knows that next week is a big deal for Connor. This also means the school year is half-over. Wow. I hate the fact that time passes so quickly these days. My baby boy will be gone and off to college before I know it!
Holly nailed her audition, like I knew she would. This year’s ballet is The Sound of Music, which you might think an odd choice since there are not that many parts, especially for the classes. However, Holly came home Monday night with the exciting news that she is one of the puppets. It isn’t a starring role, but I can’t help but think it will be one of the more entertaining roles in the production. She also announced that her ballet teacher is placing her into a second ballet class; it seems her teacher thinks she is ready to move into the pre-pointe class. To say that she is excited is an understatement. Jim and I are so proud of her (even as we wonder just how we are going to fit in one more dance class plus rehearsals for the ballet). Expect to hear more as the recitals draw closer!
On the website this week, I shared my books that I read, am reading, and am going to read. I also posted the review of my first 2015 book, The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick; it was an incredible book with which to start the year. Other reviews included Jennifer Robson’s After the War is Over and the lovely and heartbreaking All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. These were all highly enjoyable for different reasons; I do so love starting the year with great books!
Well, enough playing. Time to get back to work. There is football to watch this afternoon after all. Have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!
Your family sounds great to come home to. Yeah I think audiobooks must have a calming influence. They are soothing I think. I will have to catch up on some of your reviews; you’re off to a good start!
Thanks, Susan! My family has its moments when I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better to stay at work (homework battles never get easier), but yes, they are a great source of comfort and support when I need it.
Good luck in the weeks ahead, and keep on listening to those audiobooks. I find myself feeling the effects when I don’t read, audiobooks or print. It really does make a huge difference.
I knew about reading in print. I never thought audiobooks would make such a huge difference. I was wrong, and I now see the light.
I worked four months of 80 hour work weeks and feel your pain. You definitely need that support system and those hugs!
Four months? I think I might go insane.
Oy! I hope your schedule eases up soon. Your husband sounds like a keeper, and kudos to the kids for being sensitive to your needs. They must’ve been raised right. 😉 And congratulations to Holly on her Sound of Music audition; she must be so excited and proud.
My husband is a keeper! Thanks, Irene!
I am glad that things are going to be calming down for you and you will be able to get some breathing time!
Thanks, Kelly!
Congrats to Holly for getting a part! That’s awesome.
I agree that time just goes too fast, and it makes me sad. Every day I look at my daughter I wonder how she grew up so fast.
I wish I could listen to audio books at work without being interrupted a million times. My job just doesn’t allow for it, even though I have tried! I had a subscription to Audible for a few months but I have yet to get through a book from it, so I cancelled it. When our fitness center at work opens this summer and I join, I plan to catch up on my audio books and hopefully subscribe again.
I hope you have a good week, despite how crazy work is for you right now!
Thanks, Brandie!
I know I am incredibly fortunate to be able to balance audiobooks with work. It makes the day so much more enjoyable in addition to apparently keeping me calmer and more focused. I love listening to them while walking too. It passes the time too!
I know that partners/spouses are supposed to step up when the other is busy, but I think it’s still worth sharing and saying thank you, so I’m glad you mentioned it.
I’ve been cutting back on audio books, a bit, in favor of podcasts, but I’m hoping to get back into a couple soon. I know that if I go too long with reading, I get a little testy — I need that quiet, focused time to keep me sane.
I definitely don’t take my husband for granted. I know it embarrasses him, but seriously, he could have a much more inflexible job that would make these past few weeks impossible. I’m incredibly grateful that he has the flexibility when I don’t!
I’ve been reading but not as much as I would like, obviously. I was just really struck how much my mood immediately improved once I opened up Audible and started listening again. It just confirms that books are my sanity.
I listen to audiobooks when I drive, clean house and cook.
My husband is the CFO at a credit union, he’s had Fed examiners in the last two weeks, and this week coming up. He’s juggling his own work and keeping up with their requests etc. He’s worked too many 12 hour days.
Have a good week, small breaks, little victories and get it done.
I can feel your husband’s pain. Our auditors don’t make their appearance until mid-February. I’m hoping we can lock down all the prep work soon so that we can get a break for a week or two (and by we I mean me).
I used to listen to audiobooks all the time and just stopped around October/November. I’ve busted through three audiobooks in the past week and feel much calmer. I don’t think I can listen while cooking or cleaning. My kids ask me too many questions or try to talk to me too much for that, but I will definitely be adding them again to my commute.
Audiobooks, oh, how I love them! I listen to them whenever I am in the car and when I go for my evening walk. Before all my “stuff” last year, I used to run upwards of six to eight miles, and I found I enjoyed my runs more when I listened to an audiobook versus music. I can’t fully describe how incredible it was to go running on a dark and rainy night, and having an urge to veer away from sewer drains because I was listening to Steven Weber kill it on the audio for Stephen King’s It. Best and longest run I had done to date when I listened to that!
Hmmm…I never really tried audiobooks and running. I might have to try that in the spring when I try running yet again.
Audio and running is a winning combo, even though I’ve been into music lately. But last year I tore through quite a few audios while running (The Sparrow and ‘Salem’s Lot were favorites).
And speaking of King…Pet Sematary! If I plan/host the readalong, are you in? I was thinking of starting on Valentine’s Day, because nothing says love like a horror story, right?
I am TOTALLY IN for a King readalong!
Doesn’t that sound like fun?!?
So are you saying that I might enjoy running or at least be able to tolerate it more if I listen to a book rather than listening to music?
As for Pet Sematary, I could definitely be persuaded to add that to my list of books for February. Valentine’s Day and King fit perfectly together IMHO!
I think that listening to an audiobook – a good one – completely changes your running. My problem when I run with music is I always end up speeding my pace up or down depending on the beat of that song. Which isn’t good for me if I’m trying to maintain a steady stride and just go for long distance and nothing more. With an audiobook, there isn’t any pressure, subliminal or otherwise, to run faster or slower because of the music’s rhythm. It’s just me focusing on the story and running for pleasure. That’s it. It’s so much more fun, at least for me. Try it and see! Remember, though, it can’t be a boring book or narrator. Got to be the perfect match.
That is my problem with running too – I tend to follow the song’s pace too much, which can be murder when you are just starting and/or struggling with shin issues. Once that weather warms up, I will definitely have to try it with an audiobook. I have my favorites, so maybe a repeat listen will be a great way to test it!
I wish I could do audiobooks at work. They just don’t blend well with my job. I get the majority of my listening time when I’m in the car by myself. It takes me longer to get through audiobooks than folks who listen throughout the day but it’s what works for me.
Congrats to Holly!!
Surprisingly, I even stopped listening to audiobooks during my commute! I won’t be making that mistake again!
I’m glad the audiobooks are helping you to be calmer and happier. I’ve tried them a few times, but not had much success with them. Maybe it’s because my wind wanders and when I read, I can focus on the words right in front of me. I’m not sure.
What helps me be calmer and happier is noise-canceling earbuds (at home, not to block my wife, who sometimes is sleeping because she works midnight shift) that help block our noisy neighborhood…or at least what is noisy to me, even though we live in a small town. The earbuds also help with tinnitus that I have…
Oh, I have noise-cancelling earbuds for work as well. It was just that music wasn’t doing it for me as far as helping me stay focused or deflecting stress. Audiobooks prevent me from dwelling, which is always a good thing.